“They thought my mother would appeal to Simon to rescue me. They would help because they wanted to avoid war with the light Faery led by the druids and priestesses.”
“And did she appeal to him?”
“I believe she did. I know they came to the Isle. They rescued my mates and me.”
“Why did you not escape in daylight?”
“We were tied and guarded by their thralls.”
“Shauna Faun rescued you? What happened to the Vampyres who captured you?”
“I believe they are dead, but you would have to ask someone of Shauna Faun.”
He looked shocked by the suggestion.
“And if Shauna Faun had not come to your aid? What if your mother had not appealed to them?”
“Then we would all be dead or turned to dark Faeries.”
There were gasps in the room.
“Why would your mother think that hadn’t already happened?”
“Because not all on the ship were killed. Five of us – particularly me – were not killed, but taken prisoner. The others who were not killed were older sailors who were allowed to go to give word to the High Priestess. She had cause to hope.”
“And if she had not?”
“She would have known from what my captain was able to tell her that it was the work of Vampyres. She might have thought it was a break in Shauna Faun’s vow and declared war, but I think she is wiser than that. It was the Vampyres from across the sea who were unwise.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Shauna Faun does not ply the sea. They would not pirate or take prisoners. They have reason to keep the peace with us. She would not rush to judgement, but would have heard them. The leader from across the sea wished the death of those of Shauna Faun and didn’t care how many of us died in the process.”
“You know that for a fact?”
“I do. He said so.”
“Why?”
“You would have to ask Simon or Zoe. They know. I do not.”
“Who was it rescued you?”
“Zoe. She led us out of the cave while Simon and others fought our captors.”
“Did any others of Shauna Faun survive besides Zoe?”
“The one who steered our boat back across the water. Simon lives. I was told they lost two Vampyres in the fight. Beyond that I do not know. But it would seem you do not care. You only wish to condemn my mother.”
“I seek to learn the truth, and you overstep yourself, Master Hugh.”
“I am sorry.”
“Your faith in your mother speaks well for you. Would that she had done more for your faith in the goddess.”
“She did while I lived with her. But when I came into my own I fell away from faith. I will seek to rectify that.”
Hugh was dismissed, and there was low muttering amongst the priestesses. Dandriloc brought them to order.
“I think perhaps young Hugh is correct. Perhaps an interview with Simon or Zoe might be in order.”
“Milord, do you trust the word of Vampyres?” Deirdre, one of the elder priestesses asked.
“They do not know what has been said thus far. We can seek their report and weigh it against the evidence we have. Aoife, can you reach Shauna Faun?”
“I can try. I know one who is a thrall, one who hasn’t had much contact in years.”
“It is in your interest that you have that thrall contact them.”
The court adjourned for the evening. Aoife made her way with Hugh to Teilo’s house. Along the way Aoife expressed her gratefulness for his intervention.
“It is what needed to be done,” he replied.
“Thank you for not saying Bran’s father was a thrall or he would also be suspected of being in league with Vampyres.”
“It wasn’t relevant. And they know that, don’t they?”
“I don’t think they’ve put together that my brother-in-law is Bran’s father.”
At Teilo’s they explained the situation and asked if he could contact Simon.
Teilo smiled. “For all of everyone’s disdain for my having worked for Shauna Faun, I’m certainly popular as an intermediary.”
Aoife lowered her head.
“Of course I’ll try,” he replied.
He flitted off away from the village and perched in a tree, thinking of Simon. It didn’t take long to know his call was heard. Simon came into view a few moments later.
“I didn’t expect to hear from you,” Simon said as he landed a distance from Teilo.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Simon,” Teilo replied.
“You know I always enjoy seeing you,” Simon replied. “What do they want from me now?”
Teilo looked startled. “How did you know?”
“You never call unless they want something. How much more do they wish to exact in Zoe’s name?”
Teilo related what had occurred. When he finished, Simon laughed heartily.
“I’m sorry, Teilo, but I never thought to hear that the chief druid wished me to testify for one of his own. That he would wish a dark Faery to corroborate the testimony of a priestess and her son! None of mine would credit it.”
Teilo waited until Simon had run through his mirth.
“They have no right to ask, and I understand if you’ve had your fill. Hugh and Aoife are already in your debt.”
“And on their heads is the destruction of two of mine and four belonging to my friend’s coven across the sea.”
Teilo nodded, expecting Simon meant no.
“Where would this tribunal be, since I and mine cannot enter the sanctuary?”
“In the open air at the altar.”
“At the altar? They would ask Zoe to go there? They have no shame!”
“You could probably say better than she could what happened.”
Simon nodded.
“They are requesting me. I must have safeguards.”
“And those would be?”
“Obviously, they must take down the goddess medallion in the grove. Aoife and the druid wear powerful amulets. I know Aoife is good enough to remover hers when she confronts me. The druid must as well or I will not be able to approach. If they wish to wear lesser protection, I have no objection. They all seem convinced that I and mine would kill them. I would be putting myself in great danger to go there as any of them might stake me. Therefore, it must be an hour beyond sunset at the earliest. We must have time to feed so that Faery blood does not distract us. None of them may approach me. They will stay to one side of the altar. I, to the other.”
“I see no difficulty with your requests, but I will put it to Aoife and give you answer tomorrow night.”
Simon nodded agreement and Teilo stood.
“Must you go so soon?” Simon asked.
Only then did Teilo see Simon’s sadness.
“What ails you, Simon?”
“It has been a difficult time since Hugh’s rescue. And I realize now how much I have missed our talks.”
“Next you’ll be asking the thrall price.”
“You think little of me. Although another like me would, indeed.”
“That is not true. I well remember how your words could convince me to willingly allow you –”
“Peace, Teilo. Be on your way. I wish you no harm.”
“I would stay and talk, Simon.”
Simon seemed to struggle to draw breath, as if stifling a sob. Teilo had never noticed before whether or not Vampyres breathed.
“You look at me as if I’m poison, Teilo.”
“A childish thought occurred to me. That is the reason for my look.”
“Say it. I could use amusement.”
“Do you breathe, Simon?”
“I can. I do not need to. I’m surprised you’ve never asked before.”
“Why are you sad, then?”
“One I lost saving Hugh was one of my own creation. It would be like you losing your son or daughter.”
That brought Teilo up short. He’d never considered there were p
aternal feelings involved in creating a Vampyre.
“I’m sorry, doubly so that it was my family that caused it.”
“It’s no fault of yours, Teilo. You may think I’m a ridiculous old creature to feel so. Many others don’t share my view.”
“I don’t think it’s ridiculous. It makes you more – more like us. I admire that, even if you don’t.”
“Enough of my self-pity. What of your family?”
“Jessica is highly renowned for her lace, and much sought after. Bran, as you may know, is a journeyman druid. Dawn is apprenticed to the baker and does quite well. She has her eye on a young one and hopes to have a paramour ceremony sometime soon.”
“I’m glad your house is flourishing.”
“And what of yours, beyond your loss? Did that youngster ever join you?”
“Flynn? He did. I’m afraid it was his lack of knowledge about certain other foreign Vampyres that ultimately caused the mishap with Hugh.”
He related what had happened when they visited Artemis and how the elder had tried to capture or kill Flynn, of the deaths of Artemis’s henchmen and how Artemis had thought afterwards how best to destroy not only Flynn, but all of Shauna Faun.
“So, the crewmen who were killed are on my soul,” Simon concluded.
“Don’t think that. You’re not responsible for someone else’s vengeance. He should’ve taken it up with you. It is on him that he took light Faery.”
“He received his punishment, then. He and his pirates were killed but for a few who begged mercy. They are now with my friend on the Isle.”
“Can you trust them?”
“Indeed. None willingly joined Artemis’s coven.”
“Then you gave a blessing to those of his you freed.”
Birds began to waken and Teilo noticed the sky had lightened to a twilight grey.
“I must go,” Simon told him. “Thank you, Teilo. Thank you for your kindness.”
Teilo was about to ask what kindness, but Simon was gone.
XXIII
Dandriloc was alternately shocked and angry as Aoife listed Simon’s few demands. Teilo hadn’t told her the rest of the conversation. She found them reasonable, but Dandriloc thought them an affront.
“It is little enough he asks. We could easily end him.”
“Which would be better for all of us, I think.”
“If that is what you believe, you wish my son dead or turned and are happy enough that so many sailors lost their lives. You would have others fear to ply trade, and you would refuse Simon’s testimony.”
Presented that way, Dandriloc saw the need for Simon’s demands and relented.
“So be it. He shall have his demands this once, and we will have an end to associations with him. But I shall not be without protection entirely. I will not disown the goddess as your son so blithely does. Nor will I ask the priestesses to do so. They may wear their singular amulets. But one unexpected move from Simon and we will –”
“Enough. He will give you no cause to fulfill your heart’s desire.”
She and Dandriloc had never seen eye to eye, but they were on the same level of importance, and only the cloud of suspicion put him in a position to judge her.
The night arrived and all of the priestesses and druids, from novices to the oldest, whether they cared about the outcome or not, were gathered in the grove. A space was cordoned off for Simon. The curious anxiously awaited the arrival of a Vampyre, the first one most had ever seen.
Simon was punctual, arriving exactly an hour after sunset. He could feel the push of the amulets that many wore, but it was not intolerable.
Eerie silence blanketed the gathering. Hugh had come, not to see the spectacle, but to assure himself that things were conducted peaceably. He idly wondered what he could do about it if they weren’t.
“Please identify yourself,” Dandriloc said.
“I am Simon Mallow, leader of the coven Shauna Faun,” Simon said quietly.
“Do you know this woman?” Dandriloc asked, pointing to Aoife, who sat apart from the others.
“I know who she is. I am slightly acquainted with her.”
“Please tell us how you are acquainted with the High Priestess.”
“Her son, Hugh, came to me with a request. As you know one of my coven was once a priestess, and I saved her from being murdered.”
Murmurs arose at the accusation.
“We have different memories of that incident,” Dandriloc said.
“Regardless, one of mine was once a priestess, the sister of your former High Priestess, Moira Holly. Hugh thought Moira’s death untimely and wished to discover if Zoe had any memory of those who had been here during her time as a priestess, and whether any bore ill will toward Moira. Her aid helped, I believe, to circumvent at least one other death, possibly more.”
“I did not know that the information came from your coven, but if that is true you did, indeed help Aoife discover those unworthy of the House of the Priestesses.”
Simon nodded his head once.
“This, however, does not answer the questions pertaining to Hugh’s kidnapping.”
“It did give her some measure of trust in our coven that we bear no ill will to any light Faery. She asked to see me and told me of Hugh’s kidnapping. From the report she was given, Vampyres had taken him. Since I know of those of the Isle, I believed it was someone I knew from across the sea. Their goal, which I have since ascertained, was to force the High Priestess to involve me or else make her believe we were responsible for his taking, causing war between your folk and mine. She is wiser than that, and sought my help, which I gladly gave.”
“And why were you so glad to help one of us?”
“Because the reason for the kidnapping was retribution for a slight the Vampyre leader across the sea felt I had done him. He was a coward and only looked for my destruction and that of my coven.
“But you freed Hugh and his cohorts?”
“Yes. And that is the extent of Aoife’s involvement with us. I assure you she has no love of Vampyres.”
His comment stung Aoife, but these were not circumstances in which she could safely protest.
“And despite her dislike, you helped her?”
“Yes. I believed it my duty as my coven was, in some way, the cause.”
“How do we know these Vampyres from across the sea will not attack again?”
“They are no more. They have met the sun.”
“I cannot say I am sorry for the loss,” Dandriloc said.
“Nor am I,” Simon replied.
Dandriloc betrayed surprise, then quickly masked his emotions.
“I thank you, Simon, for coming forward. You may go in peace.”
“Thank you. And may your community be at peace.”
Simon walked calmly from the grove before flitting away. He didn’t wish to leave quickly lest some say he still hid in their midst.
Once Simon was gone, Dandriloc studied the assembly. A priestess restored the medallions lest the Vampyres decide to attack or sneak back.
“Well, the Vampyres corroborate your story and more. Aoife, twice you have enlisted the services of Vampyres. This cannot continue. They are a menace to ours.”
“I did not enlist them the first time, but I admit to benefitting from Hugh’s contact with them. And it was only desperation that drove me to them. Dandriloc, you have a son. If he were taken from you, would you not do all in your power to have him returned?”
“Still, your first contact with them was not necessary.”
She nodded.
“If I may,” Hugh interjected, “the first contact was my fault. I did it without her blessing or knowledge. In fact, she did not directly meet with them. I did. She was shocked and dismayed that I had done so. So if there is any blame, it is mine.”
“The son who does not observe the ways of the goddess.”
“While I lived with her I did. Only as a man did I fall from grace, and I believe my capture was the will of
the goddess, to teach me faith. I believe I have learned from it. Let my transgressions not fall on my mother’s head.”
Dandriloc considered.
“Aoife, do you swear on your life that you will not work in league with Vampyres?”
“I so swear.”
“Then you shall not be cast from the House of the Priestesses. But your falling from the ways cannot go unpunished. You will no longer be High Priestess of all. You may, if you wish, resume as the High Priestess of the celestials.”
“But what of Eleni? She holds that position.”
“Dyllis, High Priestess of the Cantares has died. Eleni wishes to serve that clan.”
Aoife nodded.
“Will you accept?”
“I will.”
With that the assembly adjourned, and Hugh went with his mother.
“I’m sorry you didn’t win.”
“I didn’t lose, Hugh. I knew they were after my position. The one who accused me, although she was condemned, worked for Dandriloc. I’m sure it wasn’t his intent to poison me. I don’t know whether or not he knew of the plot to kill my mother. But the plot was clumsily done so that I might have discovered things on my own. His main purpose was to expose me. Once they learned of my cooperation with the Vampyres, I could not be allowed to remain High Priestess. This was better than I expected.”
“But Moira had dealings with the Vampyres.”
“And I’m sure they found that out – or at least suspected it because of Zoe. That’s why she was sacrificed; to their mind, she made up for Zoe’s loss. Besides, they pretended innocence of that because it was never proven.”
“She knew Teilo was Simon’s thrall. She let them help find your sister.”
“She didn’t ask them. I have no proof that she ever met them. Leave it, Hugh. Ask Teilo to thank Simon for me, if he’d be so kind. Explain to him why I cannot.”
She smiled but looked resigned. He wondered how disappointed she really was.
At least she’d be in his village. He could see her often and make sure all was well.
*
Meleri had nearly lost Hugh, and she wanted to take no chances again. Hugh, for his part, hadn’t realized quite how important she was to his life until he returned from his ordeal. Perhaps this was what growing up was. He couldn’t bear to lose her, and he’d take greater care in future. But he wanted nothing more than to make that future permanent with her.
Dark Faery III: The Celestials Page 10